Improvement in fire-proof floors and walls



y 1.1mm. Fire-Proof Floors and Walls.

No. 145,211. PanamaDec.2,1s73.

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.PATENT rtree.,

JAMES JOHN, on oHroAcO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIRE-PROOF FLOORS ANDWALLS.

Speclication forming part of Letters' Patent No. I 45,2 l1, dated D cember 2, 1873; application filed October zo, 1ers.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, JAMES JOHN, of Ghicago, in the county of Cook and State of lllinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Mode of Fire-Proofing Valls and Floors; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a sectional perspective view, showing my method of construction. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of my hollow tilling-blocks. Fig. 3 is a cross-section ofthe saine. Fig. 4 is a plan oflioor with filling. Fig. 5 is a cross-section of same. Y

The object of my invention is, primarily, to render iioors and walls built with wooden joists and studding nearly or quite fire-proof under ordinary circumstances, by completely covering said wooden parts with non -conducting lire-proof material, and filling the spaces between said wooden parts with hollow boxes or shells of similar lire-proof materials, whereby all passage of air through said spaces is prevented without an objectionable addition to the weight imposed upon the joists. A secondary object is, a complete deafening' ot' the walls.

My invention consists, first, in the hereinafter-described method of covering the wooden timbers with a layer of ineombustible material, and, second, in connecting therewith the hollow incombustible shells or boxes employed to lill the space between joists, 85o.

That others may fully understand my improve'ment, I will particularly describe it.

A A are the common joists, and B B are transverse furring-strips nailed to the under edges of said joists, about twelve inches apart, for the attachment of Jthe lathing.

' These furring-st-rips are not always used, and

they may be omitted without material injury to my method. The strips B being in place, boards are held up against their under sides by any convenient means, and a layer of mortar, O, gaged with stucco or cement, is put in from the top, and struck ott' even with the upper sides ofthe furring-strips B. Strips E E, in width less than the thickness of the joists, are nailed along the upper edges of said joists, to receive the flooring-nails.

The hollow boxesor shells D, made from plaster-ofparis or other suitable material, having' been prepared, are laid upon the furring-strips with their open sides facing each other, and, preferably, in such a way that they will break joints, the ends of one coming opposite the' central partition d ot' the other, as 4shown in Fig. 4.

The shells l) are made in depth equal to halt' the width of the joists, and in width about two inches less than the space between the joists, and about two feet in length.

W hen the boxes D are in position, their'upper surfaces are iiush with t-he upper edges of the joists A, and there is a space, e, ot' about an inch on either side, between said joists and boxes. This space at the sides and over the tops of. said boxes (iiush with the top of strips E) I till with concrete mortar.

-Nails may be driven into the jists, as shown in Figs. l and 5, to hold the concrete and prevent it from settling upon the lathing.

The lathing and ordinary plastering, P, are put on as usual.

The looring is laid and nailed to the strips E in the usual manner.

By this method, the josts are entirely covered and protected xby the concrete, and, the spaces between the joists being entirely tilled by the boxes or shells l), they are not only protected from the direct action ot' tire, but there can be no passage of air between adjoiniilg joists, to act as iiues` and convey ila-me from one portion of the building to another. It' the floor should be consumed, the strip E only would be exposed, and then would not burn with ame between the concrete edges of the layer e.

Aside from the above advantages, the oors will thereby be completely and eii'ectually deafened. The concrete also forms a continuons bridging to the joiststheir entire length, dispensing with the ordinary bridging, it' so desired.

Having described my invention, what I cla-im as new is- 1. In combination with the joists A A, the

hollow shells or boxes D, to occupy the space between said joists, as set forth, to prevent the passage. of air, as described.

2. In combination, the joists A, furringstrips B, strips E, concrete layers G e, and the hollow boxes or shells D, as and for the pur- Apose set forth.

3. The shell or box D, constructed open on one side, lamd with a medial partition, d, so that said shells maybe laid breaking joints, in the manner and to the eeot described.

JAMES J OHN.

Witnesses z WILLIAM E. CowPER, CHARLES SCATES. 

